Pores and foundation

[NarcsBegone]

I am really struggling with large pores and my foundation sitting in them. I've tried powder, liquid, cream, Bb cream, loads of different primers with all the different foundations, the various pore filling things like porefessional, I've tried sponges both damp and dry, brushes fat and thin and fingers. My skin care is good, I double cleanse, tone, moisturise, use oils, serums, exfoliate, use gyclolic stuff. Everything sits in my pores, creases and now my facial hair is an issue too all over my face. I'm only 38 .
I've tried the method where you apply powder first, buff in different directions, don't buff, tap, swipe, don't swipe, thin layers, thick layers, 'forcing' it into the pores, applying as usual then spending an hour with a cotton bud trying to dab away at the worst areas. I have foundations and primers from rimmel, Poundland, Avon, benefit, Lancôme, Estée Lauder, natural skincare, no7, and Nivea. There must be something out there, there must be others that have this and have found a way other than just braving the look and hoping people don't get too close??? Any advice will be really gratefully received ... it may be ive just got the techniques wrong? I am very oily on my tzone and usually get matt foundations and wondering if that could be an issue now as I think the creasing around my cheeks/sides of mouth are looking dry.

Beautifully is it this one? (In pic)

Bagel , yes, that's the one.
It's so beautifully moisturizing and plumping it's unreal.
I have rosacea, and need moisture or I get spots, anything too rich, and I get pustules.
Great.
This doesn't irritate at all, and can be layered with other serums/actives.
If I put this on after my acids, then put a sheet mask on (preferably the Hada labo sheet masks), then put some more on afterwards - I have the smoothest, softest, glowing skin, that I've ever had in 45 years!

£10 for 170ml isn't expensive either (the Ordinary is £5 for only 30ml). Might have to purchase!

It's a revelation to me re hydration. I always thought I had dry skin and slapped on the moisturiser, I probably had dehydrated skin all the bloomin' time! Im so impressed at how soft my skin is now and I hardly need moisturiser at all after the HA and Buffet.

Narcs would be interested to hear which Ordinary products you were underwhelmed by?

Sorry, it was XiCi that was underwhelmed

Placemarking because I have these problems (pores, oil) and I'm only 31. So fed up by it..

bagel it was the azaleic acid I really hated. I was expecting a solution and it was a thick cream that was a horrible texture and therefore hard to fit in a skincare routine. Also tried the niaciamide & zinc solution. I didn't see any improvement in my skin so have gone back to using other more effective (for me) serums and acids. I'm temped by the vit c as it's a great price but I've not heard good things about that either. I will continue to use the Retinol though.

Thank you all! I'm going to make a list and start working through it after the flurry of leavers everything this week. It sounds like I'm just getting my combinations wrong and need to properly invest in a couple of the products that have been mentioned several times. I've been so confused that I've been trying all these techniques and nothing has been working but actually I'm not using the right base products which will help massively to start with.

XiCi that's interesting as some people rave about those products! Although I know people have said you have to let the Nia+Z for longer than the other serums, otherwise it pills when you put something else on top.

I did a patch test of the Azelaic today near my ear and seems ok. I'd got it for my DD but she won't try stuff I get for her (long story) and Victoria Health recommended it to me when I emailed them. I'm thinking of buying either the Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F or the Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12% and that will complete my purchases (oh, and the Squalene oil)!

I absolutely love the Ordinary's squalene oil. A drop or two after my hyaluronic serum, or added to a light moisturiser, makes my skin ultra silky.
If my oily, yet dehydrated skin is parched, a drop of this added to foundation is fantastic.

Beautifully - may I ask, do you use that with an spf?

Wow loads of great suggestions on here, really glad I came across this thread

margaritas no I don't use an spf.
Haven't found one that that suits my troublesome skin yet.

After reading this thread, I was reminded of the Ordinary's azaleic acid, and thought I'd use it on my t zone pores last night. It seemed so good when I first purchased it.
Ouch! I am reminded today, why I stopped using it. Sore, tight, tingly skin, and dry patches. Not good for me.

Thanks Beautifully. I got that with The Ordinary´s Vit C cream. I know it is supporsed to tingle but it hurt. I developed rosacea shortly after staring to use it. It may be unfair but the two things are associated in my mind.

Marking space so I don't lose thread. I'm now 55 and never had major skincare concerns (till recently) but ageing and massive sun damage through taking my good, but sensitive, skin for granted have resulted in big pores in my old age Now, aside from wrinkles, I have some broken capillaries and big pores on nose. Never needed to use foundation till 5 years or so ago...and now I need to in order to cover the broken capillaries on nose, cheeks. I discovered IT CC cream your skin but better after reading a Sunday Times recommendation and sourced it from QVC as it comes with a brush to buff it in. Amazingly, once I got the hang of buffing it in fast with the brush, it gives medium coverage (enough to disguise broken veins) and doesn't settle in open pores. It also has H acid and SPF 50. I apply straight after a light moisturiser.
If you're very oily it might not work for you.
Hate mineral/powder foundations (settle in all my wrinkles, not a good look)
Another SPF50 I really like is the Body Shop multi protection essence it's super light and I imagine it would be perfect for oily skins. Good on no foundation days, or under makeup as it's totally non greasy and light.

I think it's high time I took my skincare seriously. Well done to those still in their thirties who are doing so already, trust me you will reap what you sow...I had great (albeit sensitive) skin but my slapdash attitude is showing now and now it's a damage limitation game to stop decrepitude taking over in the next 15 years...
Worried about retinol due to my sensitive skin but willing to consider as long as routines don't take an age to do and deliver good results.

Foundation wise another one I like and doesn't settle into pores (even without primer, finger job) for me is YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat (spf19) and Clinique Redness Solutions (spf 15) I prefer those as winter foundations both cover redness well for me without settling into pores.
Hope this is helpful and thanks for the thread (will investigate Paula's choice for open pores...)

I had really brilliant skin up until recently. I never had acne or spots as a teenager and had compliments often. I also have veins showing on my face especially around the nose and my under eye is so creypey (sp?) I've looked after my skin as in at least cleansed, toned and moisturised since I was 23ish but I think years of medications, smoking and ill health have taken their toll.